Retina MBP storage & RAM: base or high-end? (help?)

[lazer155]

That article is somewhat wrong for macs since it is from 2007 so is a little outdated since starting in 10.6 and up mac will now have almost exactly the capacity they say. This is the actual link I should have posted but couldn't find it earlier http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2419.

Sorry this is getting this thread bait off topic now…

So am I understanding this right: the mac has about a 4gb per 32gb error when reporting how much space is available? But it still has all of the space that apple claims? So really everything is there it just isn't recorded entirely? A 512gb sad drive still has 512gb but the computer just reports a bit less even though you can utilize all 512gb?

 

[signalpuppet]

Sorry this is getting this thread bait off topic now…

So am I understanding this right: the mac has about a 4gb per 32gb error when reporting how much space is available? But it still has all of the space that apple claims? So really everything is there it just isn't recorded entirely? A 512gb sad drive still has 512gb but the computer just reports a bit less even though you can utilize all 512gb?

I agree we are off topic, I just mentioned it just so MDFang was aware of it.

I think however I have confused you which I am sorry for as this stuff gets really complicated. So basically the reporting difference between the marked size and what you see on you computer is not actually an error, it is a result of the fact that manufactories use the standard of 1 kb = 1000 bytes which is base 10. Computers on the other because they use binary are base 2 which means 1 kb = 1024 bytes. This difference is why when the computer formats the drive it ends up being smaller. Having said all that, this issue does not happen to macs as long as you are running OS X 10.6 and higher which means now if your mac comes with a 512 GB ssd that is exactly the amount of space you have to use. You will obviously still lose space as a result of having to install Lion and all the other pre installed stuff but at the end of the day you will get all 512 GB to use.

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Getting back to MDFang's orginaly question which I inadvertently caused to get off track I would say go for the 512 GB and get a 1 TB external for backing up or if you can afford it go for the 768 GB ssd. I would also say after thinking about it more I would say def go for the 16 GB RAM as you may need it for running virtual machines for programming class.

 

[aaronw1986]

Being that you want to future-proof your purchase as much as possible, and that you're area of study in school is computer science, then go with the 512gb SSD and 16gb RAM. Yeah, it's adding onto an already expensive purchase, but it will pay for itself many times over if you can use it for 6 years.

I agree with this. At least the 16GB RAM part, that should be a given. I maxed out my 2007 and it got my through my last few years of my Computer Science degree. 5 years later, the 4GB really shows its age! Go for 16GB.

 

[natejohnstone@g]

Being that you want to future-proof your purchase as much as possible, and that you're area of study in school is computer science, then go with the 512gb SSD and 16gb RAM. Yeah, it's adding onto an already expensive purchase, but it will pay for itself many times over if you can use it for 6 years.

I agree

 

[MDFang]

Thanks for your comments everyone.
I'm really aiming for the high-end with 512 GB now. The 768 GB one is way out of my reach right now, especially since I'll have to get lucky and/or borrow money to afford the 512 GB one. My boss will also be pooling in extra money though, since he insists I really need a faster computer, so we'll see where that goes.

I think it'll be 512 GB then, and stick with that and my current 500 GB external until I run out of space, and then look into getting a 1 TB external (SSD flash by that time).

And nope, I won't forget about the student discount. It isn't that much, but is most certainly helps!

Many thanks for all your help so far, I think I'll manage on my own now!
~ Fang